Top and bottom at Christmas – what does it mean?

The team that won the title on Christmas Day has since won it in 17 of its previous 33 seasons, essentially by turning a chocolate coin.

The Gunners were only at this level twice before Mikel Arteta took over, but for the third time in four seasons.

Their supporters hope that Arteta’s men can finally defeat Manchester City and deliver the gift they’ve longed for since 2004 thanks to the wisdom they’ve learned from previous seasons.

The Gunners themselves, two years ago, were the only table-toppers at Christmas with a smaller lead than Arsenal in the previous 12 seasons.

However, history suggests a two-point lead might be sufficient.

In 1997-98, they were sixth and 13 points ahead of Man Utd, second and three points ahead of Newcastle in 2001-02, and third and one point ahead of Man Utd at Christmas in 2003-2004.

They won’t be particularly confident either when a seven-point lead over Manchester City is reduced to two in five games.

“We’re back in the top of the table, but we’re not watching City or the other teams too much,” Saka said. “We now have complete control.” We are aware that if we are successful each week, we will continue.”

We are aware of how difficult this league will be and how much of it our own performance and results are. That’s it”.

Manchester City are undoubtedly a history club. The Premier League has been won by Guardiola six times, three times by Bayern Munich, and three times by Barcelona. As a manager, Arteta has not won any league titles.

None of the Arsenal squad has won a Premier League, but they have lost leads over the past few seasons, whereas Guardiola’s squad is full of Premier League winners who know what it takes to end a campaign strong.

But why isn’t this season different? Manchester City have lost four games this campaign, compared to Arsenal’s two losses, but they are far from their relentless counterpart in previous years.

“We’ll be there,” the promise. We’ll be there if they follow me, but we must continue to improve, Guardiola said.

“I am aware of the competition level in Europe, the Premier League, Arsenal, and the other teams, and how difficult they are.” It is insufficient.

The spirit is present, but last season, they did not have the spirit, nor did they have aggression, or hunger, all of which they needed. There is something about the Club World Cup that comes from within, not just the highlights and how good the actions are.